The Orchard School day is from 8:50am to 3:00pm.

8:50am – 9:10am Children Arrive / Registration
9:10am – 10:30am Morning Session 1 (Lessons)
10:30am – 10:45am Morning Break
10:45am – 12:00pm Morning Session 2 (Lessons)
12:00pm – 1:10pm Lunch*
1:10pm – 3:00pm Afternoon Session (Lessons)
3:00pm – End of school day (and the start of transport)

This amounts to a total time of 30 hours 50 minutes per week.

*The school operates a ‘split lunch’ which ensures pupils have a quality dining experience. Lower School and Middle School have their lunch at 12:00 and playtime at 12:30; Upper School have playtime at 12:00 and lunch at 12:40.

Pupils dining is a teaching time.

This meets the statutory requirements of directed time. Staff contact with pupils is consistent throughout the school.

Class Organisation

The school is divided into three phases – Lower School, Middle School and Upper School.

Each phase has its own distinct area and identity within school. A member of the Senior Leadership Team supports each phase.

Class groups contain 8-9 children, with an appropriate number of support staff.

Class Groups

A range of group and teaching strategies are adopted within the class to ensure the pupils access a broad and balanced curriculum.